Calling all youth emerging designers, creators, artists and makers! 

Artscape Weston Common is excited to announce the launch of the UpstART Youth Creative Accelerator which provides youth access to creative mentorship and training opportunities that enable them to grow their creative career and reach new audiences.

UpstART is a comprehensive 6-month program that equips youth in Toronto and the GTA aged 18-29 with the entrepreneurial tools required to establish and accelerate a thriving creative business. With training opportunities and 1-on-1 mentorship facilitated by professionals in the field, UpstART is built on a foundation of value-driven artistic production, progressive entrepreneurial thinking and a critical understanding of how to apply skills and knowledge in the creative and cultural sector both locally and abroad.

 

 TAKE YOUR CREATIVE PRACTICE TO THE NEXT LEVEL with access to:

• Creative Entrepreneurship-based workshops 
• 1-on-1 coaching with industry-leading professional creatives
• 3-Month Bursary to Artscape Daniels Launchpad

 

How to Apply 

If you interested in participating in the UpstART program, you are invited to complete an online application form. Application questions will give you an opportunity to demonstrate what makes you a great candidate for the program and to describe your creative work, activities and entrepreneurial vision.

 

Application Deadline: November 24th 2020

Successful applicants will be informed by December 4th 2020.

 

The selection process will be led by the Artscape Weston Commons Community Advisory Committee. Read more about program and application guidelines here: https://www.artscapeweston.ca/upstart

 

Eligibility 

Applicants must

• Be a Canadian citizen or a legal resident
• Be between the ages of 18-29
• Live in the Greater Toronto Area (York South-Weston residents will be prioritized)
• Be an emerging and/or practicing artist, designer or creator
• Have an entrepreneurial desire to advance their creative practice/business or idea
• Willingness to invest time and effort in the program
• Have not received a Artscape Daniels Launchpad Bursary in the past year

 

Questions 

Please reach out to our Manager, Hub Services – Spencer Phillips, at sphillips@artscape.ca

 

UpstART has been made possible through the generous support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, The Gordon & Ruth Gooder Foundation, and Telus.

 

 

Accessibility

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the selection process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation needs known to Artscape. 

 

Artscape’s Diversity & Inclusion statement

Artscape is intentional in creating spaces that are inclusive and showcase creativity. Our community reflects this intention, as we welcome people from all experiences, inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, race, Indigenous status, ethnicity, mental and physical ability, caregiver status, housing status, place of origin, age, and all other statuses protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code.